Rainbow Darkling Beetle

In certain light and at certain angles, this seemingly ordinary black beetle shows a coat of many colors.

Updated: 5/21/2020; Authored By Staff Writer; Content ©www.InsectIdentification.org

Like most Darkling Beetles, this species is black. It is special in that it also has a multicolored iridescence all over its body. The effect is similar to how oil on the ground reflects light: subtle, but clearly visible. The colors overlaying the black beetle may be red, green, blue, or a mix of many hues, and they stretch from head to rear end. The head and pronotum are covered in tiny pits or depressions, giving them texture. The flat head hangs low as if vacuuming the ground. The smooth wing coverings (elytra) have evenly spaced channels or lines running down them.

Look for this beetle in wooded areas under decomposing logs and on tree trunks. It has wings, but it often seen walking on leaf litter and wood chip trails on the ground.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Tenebrionidae

Genus: Tarpela

Species: micans

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Tarpela micans

Category: Beetle

Size (Adult; Length): 12mm to 19mm (0.47in to 0.74in)

Colors: black; red; blue; green

Descriptors: iridescent; rainbow; sheen; gleam; ridges; smooth lines; bumpy pronotum; flying; shiny

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Territory map graphic of the country of Mexico

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Beetle Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American Beetle insect

Antennae: Beetles have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and mandibles (jaws).

Thorax: Holds the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Elytron: One of two wing cases on a Beetle that protects its wings (plural: elytra).

Wings: Appendages used for flying and kept under the elytra until needed.

Abdomen: Houses organs related to circulation, reproduction, and excretion.

Legs: Beetles have three pairs of legs located at the thorax, numbering six legs in all.

Rainbow Darkling Beetle (Tarpela micans)

Detailing the physical features, habits, territorial reach and other identifying qualities of the Rainbow Darkling Beetle.

In certain light and at certain angles, this seemingly ordinary black beetle shows a coat of many colors.